LaMarcus Aldridge will get the opportunity to start for the Nets, according to coach Steve Nash, ESPN’s Malika Andrews tweets. Aldridge signed with the Nets after reaching a buyout with the Spurs and clearing waivers. Aldridge is expected to sit out for two to four games as he ramps up his on-court activity after not playing since March 1. Aldridge would presumably challenge DeAndre Jordan for the starting center spot.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Nets continue to take a very cautious approach with Kevin Durant, Andrews writes. Nash said he doubts Durant will play this week as he continues to recover from a left hamstring strain. He hasn’t played since February 13. Reserve guard Landry Shamet, who’s dealing with an ankle sprain, is also unlikely to play this week, Andrews adds.
- Andre Drummond might have received ample playing time with the Knicks but he had already decided to join the Lakers before Mitchell Robinson broke his foot on Saturday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. The Knicks didn’t make a strong run at Drummond, even after Robinson was injured, because Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau didn’t lobby hard for the former Cavaliers center. There was a general sense that Drummond would be unhappy in New York unless he started.
- The biggest winner in the aftermath of the Celtics’ moves prior to the trade deadline is young center Robert Williams, A. Sherrod Blakely of the Boston Sports Journal writes. Fans have been clamoring to see more of Williams and they’ll get their wish now that Daniel Theis has been dealt to Chicago. Williams played 32 minutes against New Orleans on Monday.
Knicks might not last first round with randle
I remember watching an NFL Channel and one of the guys said “everybody loves the backup QB”. That saying relates to robert Williams. He’s young, extremely athletic, and efficient(coming off the bench), but im just not sold on him as a full time starter on a team trying to contend for a championship.
Drummond will get plenty of minutes with AD out for at least a few more weeks.
He will get plenty of minutes when Davis is healthy, too.
A Montrez/Drummond combo is intriguing.
lol teams like Clippers or Denver would kill Lakers with them having stretch 4’s and 5’s..Harrell and drummond will be useless
You forgot the follow-up “muahahaha.” When did Dr. Suess become so diabolical? I suppose green eggs aren’t as entertaining for the kids these days…internet desensitization and all. Good on you for sticking with the remedial fiction, though. God speed, cat man, we’re all behind you!
Harrell’s role shouldn’t change…just an upgrade from Gasol to Drummond. I hope that is how it will go in the relative long run. Until Davis returns I expect there will be a consistent rotation of the three, though.
I think by upgrade you meant significant downgrade, but autocorrect can do that sometimes
The only difference between Wilt Chamberlain and Drummond is that Drummond gets buyout at age 27. Wilt did not
Yup that’s the only one ………. such a Sillyman
LoL. I watched the game when Drummond scored 100 points in a game. Drummond is also a Globetrotter. He’s also been MVP.
20k women disagree
Drummond made more money than Wilt in NBA. Which is insane ……
What a great situation for Durant this year to work his way back – Id string him along the sidelines in a suit for as long as possible if I’m Brk, mid April seems right
I, along with many others, probably overplayed the 3 heads being too large too fit into one room angle
These 3 are probably more beneficial to each other than toxic. The Harden trade might go down as one of the biggest heists ever
Knicks & Celtics are probably better off, too, without. I assume all will be available in the offseason.
I agree…the less time those three basket cases don’t have to share the same space, the better for them. Obtaining Harden to carry the load while Durant is injured in a very weak East is significant, (Irving is not the guy to count on). Durant can likely step right back in when healthy. Hopefully Embiid can stay healthy to keep it a bit interesting in that conference. It’s tough to hope the Bucks will keep it going in the playoffs simply based on the past couple seasons with big unfulfilled expectations.
LA and DA fighting it out for a starting spot? Schedule the parade!
They should go with LA and Claxton instead with Jordan against teams with stronger bigs
I would agree with this. Claxton would start in that scenario, and Aldridge could be more useful with more touches in the 2nd unit. Probably could switch off with Blake in that role to keep them fresh. Jordan in stretches as a rim protector/post defender/rebounder.
For all the Westbrook crytics ……….. !!!
Over the last several seasons, Russell Westbrook has bent the triple-double to his will, rewriting the league’s record books at an astonishing pace.
And on Monday night, in just his 38th game as a Wizard, Westbrook overtook Darrell Walker for the franchise lead, logging triple-double No. 16 with Washington — and No. 162 overall — in spectacular fashion.
By final whistle, Westbrook had accumulated 35 points, 14 rebounds and a career-best 21 assists in the Wizards’ 132-124 victory over the Pacers. It marked just the third time in league history a player topped 30 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists: Oscar Robertson (32-15-20) did so on Dec. 11, 1961 vs. Chicago; Magic Johnson (32-11-20) turned in the other on Nov. 28, 1988 at Philadelphia. The only Wizards player to achieve a 20-point, 20-assist triple-double was Rod Strickland (21-12-20) on Feb. 10, 1998.
Overall, Westbrook has now tied Oscar Robertson as the only players with five seasons of at least 15 triple-doubles
nba.com
I assume we all know who the Big O was. Respect
Great post Al!
Russ is such an amazin’ player, I just love watching him play… he is the poster boy for that’s entertainment!
I like him too. Don’t know why he gets so much grief. That was on NBAapp.
Knicks are 1 – 6 in their division. Only team they have beaten is Celtics. Sure would like to get Whiteside
Rofl
BRK ha made out like bandits… not in the BO market, but they upgraded internally their Center spot with Claxton instead of Allen… meanwhile CLE did downgrade their situation with Allen for Dre!
Why people don’t call that unfair?
Anyway I don’t care a bit ’bout both teams… so just pullin’ your leg guys!
You always like your own comments.
It amuses me.
It’s one of the most prominent features of the person he is tributing to for his name, so it makes perfect sense
Drummond is in the right place to prove himself to his fans and detractors alike. Assuming LBJ and AD come back, he’ll have a few months to prove that his skill set (which is basically his size and power) can facilitate winning (not just great top line stats). If he can, then he’ll be in demand even in a saturated C market. If not, then he’ll float around the league at MLE level salaries and less until he hangs it up. I don’t have a strong view, but it’s not a good sign for a big physical C that Thibs doesn’t want you (although it’s unclear if that were only the case prior to Robinson’s injury).
Knicks still have multiple bigs who are better, even without Mitchell Robinson. But to further your point, look at Hassan Whiteside. Couldn’t get a minimum contract from anyone but Sacramento, barely plays, and nobody wanted him in a trade, even at the minimum
I want Whiteside right now. Got till April 9 lol
Changes in the way teams play and distribute minutes have caused the market for bigs to be in a state of oversupply for at least the past 5 years, and it may take another 3-5 years before that changes. Affects, most harshly, one position bigs. Unless they are truly special players, they have very little pricing power in the market right now.